Data, Caregiving, and the Ethical Control

Now is the time to keep 2 sets of “books”. One is the source of record, and the other you give out to the Steel-heeled thugs (purged of all the elements they seek). Good luck sorting out that Big Data.

It makes sense, doesn’t it? Those of us with the responsibility of managing large quantities of the personal data of other people constantly think about control. We have legal and ethical requirements to control access, to establish and maintain limits, and use best practices (such least privilege access). Whether we are talking about the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), or any of the dozens of other federal and state privacy laws.

We also have the responsibility to encourage use of the data, but always appropriate use. Use that adds value to the lives/livelihoods of those we serve…